FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - If you’re reading this, then pat yourself on the back for making it through 2020! It seems that collectively, we are excited to turn the page on the calendar to January 1^st of any year, and this year is no exception. As I write this column each month, I reflect on the prior month and then look forward to what is coming next so that I can keep you up to date on Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce activities, milestones, and some information about various Fair Oaks organizations. Today, in addition to bringing you what I know about our 5^th Annual Best of Fair Oaks Awards Gala, I’m going to reflect on my impressions of our community over the past year.

What I have seen has been the amazing resilience of a community overall, and a can-do spirit of organizations such as the OV-FO Food Bank and the numerous community organizations and residents who pitched in where needed and still do. Countless numbers of donors gave what they could even if struggling a bit themselves. There has been an outpouring of sentiment to “shop and dine locally” which is so important to our small businesses and restaurants. Not all businesses are “brick and mortar” anymore, and they can be invisible in times like these. Some businesses have not been open for months or are closed permanently. Many of us have lost loved ones. Even with all of this heartache, I see the goodness in our humanity. In our town. People caring for one another and trying to help in some way. Keep it going. We are not out of the woods yet.

Here’s a happy thing to look forward to! The members of FOYO (Fair Oaks Youth Outreach) will be back again this year to host the 2020 Best of Fair Oaks aka the BoFOs! The “virtual” event is taking place on Thursday, January 21st, and will be live-streamed on YouTube beginning at 6:00 pm. To access the event, visit www.BestOfFairOaks.com/2020-event-info. I’m sure FOYO and Executive Director Kim Pitllio have some fun surprises in store for everyone. How about a little fanfare for your business with a BoFO event sponsorship? If you hurry, you might still be able to grab a spot. Proceeds help to fund our youth scholarships. Please contact Kim at  [email protected]. Thank you!

See you at the BoFOs!!